Ukraine's president: sovereignty in east would be self-destructive

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published on
May 10, 2014

A polling station official prepares polling booths at polling station ahead of the regional referendum in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, May 10, 2014. Two restive regions in eastern Ukraine are preparing to vote on declaring sovereignty and ceding from Ukraine, in a referendum on Sunday in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where pro-Russia insurgents have seized government buildings and clashed with police and Ukrainian troops.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

A masked pro Russia man is seen atop an APC flying a Russian flag, top, and a Donetsk People's Republic flag, as it stands in front of the occupied administration building today in Donetsk, Ukraine.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

A pro Russia militia man is seen inside an APC placed today in front of the occupied administration building in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, May 10, 2014. Two restive regions in eastern Ukraine are preparing to vote on declaring sovereignty and ceding from Ukraine, in a referendum on Sunday in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where pro-Russia insurgents have seized government buildings and clashed with police and Ukrainian troops.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo) 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Polling station officials prepare for the upcoming referendum at a polling station in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, May 10, 2014. Two restive regions in eastern Ukraine are preparing to vote on declaring sovereignty and ceding from Ukraine, in a referendum on Sunday in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where pro-Russia insurgents have seized government buildings and clashed with police and Ukrainian troops.(AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

MARIUPOL, Ukraine — As two of the most tense regions in eastern Ukraine prepare to vote on declaring sovereignty, the country’s acting president is warning them against self-destruction.

Sunday’s ballots seek approval for declaring so-called sovereign people’s republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where pro-Russia insurgents have seized government buildings and clashed with police and Ukrainian troops.

At least seven people died Friday in clashes in the city of Mariupol. The city remained on edge today, with barricades of tires blocking some streets in the city center.

The referendums are being conducted by the insurgent movements and are not regarded as legitimate by Kiev or the West. The elections chief of the insurgents in Donetsk, Roman Lyagin, was quoted by news agencies as saying voting in Mariupol and one other district had begun early because of rising tensions there. He did not elaborate.

Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov, in comments posted on the presidential website today, said supporters of independence for the east “don’t understand that this would be a complete destruction of the economy, social programs and general life for the majority of the population.”

“This is a step into the abyss for the regions,” he said.

The hastily arranged referendums are similar to the March referendum in Crimea that approved secession from Ukraine. Crimea was formally annexed by Russia days later.

But organizers of the eastern vote have said that only later will a decision be made on whether they would use their nominal sovereignty to seek full independence, absorption by Russia or to stay part of Ukraine but with expanded power for the regions.

Turchynov and Ukraine’s interim government came to power in February following the ouster of Russia-friendly president Viktor Yanukovych after months of protests in Kiev. Moscow and many in Ukraine’s east denounce the government as a nationalist junta and allege that it intends to trample on the rights of eastern Ukraine’s Russian-speakers. More than 30 people have been reported killed as Ukrainian forces mount offensives to retake some eastern cities now under control of the insurgents.

In the remarks issued today, Turchynov said the government was willing to negotiate with representatives of the east, but not with anyone he called “terrorists whose task is the destruction of the country, a task put forth by their masters.” Kiev claims Russia is fomenting or directing the unrest in the east, with the goal either of destabilizing Ukraine or finding a pretext for invasion.

During the unrest, insurgents have seized or detained journalists, activists and others including seven foreign military observers for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe who were held for more than a week Today, the Ukrainian Red Cross said one of its workers and eight volunteers were held in Donetsk for several hours before being released.

Guidelines: Please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Comments that violate these standards, or our privacy statement or visitor's agreement, are subject to being removed and commenters are subject to being banned. To post comments, you must be a registered user on toledoblade.com. To find out more, please visit the FAQ.